Pickin’ and Strummin’

Ukulele enthusiasts immersed themselves in the world of Hawaii’s well-known stringed instrument Saturday during the 13th annual Great Waikoloa Ukulele Festival.

Held at the Queens’ MarketPlace at the Waikoloa Beach Resort, the event is a celebration of the instrument that traces its origins to Portuguese immigrants who arrived in Hawaii during the late 1800s.

The ukulele, when translated, means “jumping flea.” The name is believed to have been drawn from the quick picking and strumming of the instrument’s strings.

Scores of residents and visitors alike took part in activities, which included a free, bring-your-own-ukulele workshop taught by ukulele master and teacher Roy Sakuma. The event also featured live music and demonstrations of ukulele-, Hawaiian gourd- and lei-making.

For more information on the Waikoloa event, as well as other ukulele festivals in Hawaii, visit ukulelefestivalhawaii.org.